Poem continued:
if only it was as simple as colour
or varying body types
but for generations
these would determine our fates
and they still do in so many places
still threatened by our faces
so we get pulled a part
and they take what they feel like taking
black lips
black curves
black hair
skin
language
culture
land
but all these parts
make a whole soul
that knows no notion of giving in
we will hold ourselves together
this team light
team dark skin
means we divide us
but on what basis
when even the palest
can come from the blackest dust
just by uniting
just by existing
we not only resist
we define resistance
see I was taught to hate
these ashy knees
but there’s so much they tell
stories
of those times even I
tried to rid me of me
But didn’t succeed
thank you
ashy knees